Of Hindu celebrations, Diwali is the most spectacular and popular. The word Diwali is a shortened version of the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which literally means row of lights – thus the special arrangements of deeyas in rows. Light (dipa) is central to Diwali. Hence, the Divine Mother Laxshmi, since She is the Goddess of Light, Prosperity, and Happiness. Light presides over all darkness in the universe, including the tamasic qualities, unrighteous institutions, the wicked propensities in humans, and the "cultural carcinogens of our society" that poison Dharma.

Because of the international scale of Diwali’s celebration, it has the potential to create an atmosphere through which the world can hear of the struggles and hopes of Hindus in the Caribbean. In the spirit of Diwali, we should join our hands together and speak out against social and political injustices our people are faced with. To remain quiet when there is injustice, when Dharma is trampled, is contrary to the teachings and traditions of Hinduism. It is hypocritical to exalt ourselves in proclaiming that we belong to the lineage of Raama, Krishna, Hanuman, Durga – fighters of evil and injustice, when we ourselves are darpokes (cowards), choosing the easy way out, turning a blind eye to wrongs committed against our people. It is absolutely clear from the spiritual context and social dimensions exemplified in Diwali’s significance, that Hindus must guard against Christian missionaries, crooks, and quacks; with pride in our hearts, we must stand up to defend Dharma, to weed out the cultural carcinogens contaminating our communities.

How have I arrived at such an interpretation of Diwali? One does not have to look far. Why is Diwali celebrated? As one of the most ancient and sacred Hindu Parbs, it is associated with various events in the history of Sanatana Dharma. I will briefly touch on a few of the most popular ideas.

It is believed that Diwali commemorates the divine marriage of Devi Laxshmi to Bhagwan Vishnu – the concept of the Hindu family. It also commemorates the triumphant return of Bhagwan Rama to the city of Ayodhya, after 14 years in exile. The life of Raama is filled with heroic acts of struggling against evil and, evil perpetuated by rulers who had violated the human rights of their citizens. It is for this reason that Bhagwan Krishna destroyed the wicked demon Narakasura. The word Narakasura means one who gives "hell" to others – he was a terror to children, women and men. Narakasura tortured and imprisoned thousands of women. As a symbol of His victory, Krishna smeared his forehead with the demon’s blood. Thus, not only must we destroy evil; we must commemorate such victories to instill pride in our people.

Diwali is also associated with the story of King Bali, who became intoxicated with his mighty powers, which he used against humanity. To teach Bali a lesson, Bhagwan Vishnu appeared as a little boy and begged him for only that much land which he could cover with his three steps. Known for his great acts of philanthropy, King Bali agreed with pride. At that moment the boy transformed himself into the omnipotent Vishnu – His first step covered the region above the Earth, the second step covered the Earth, then Bhagwan Vishnu asked Bali where would the third step go. Realising his mistakes, King Bali gracefully offered his head, and so Vishnu pushed him into the underworld. But because Bali realized his mistakes at the end, Bhagwan Vishnu gave him the lamp of knowledge and allowed him to return to the Earth once a year to light millions of lamps to dispel darkness, wickedness, quackery, and corruption.

It was also on Diwali that Bhagwan Krishna discarded his material body. Bhagwan Mahavir, the Jain prophet, also attained nirvan on this day. Swami Ramtirth, the great Hindu monk, who was born on this day, took Sanyas on this day, and also attained nirvan on this day. Swami Dayananda Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Samaj, attained nirvan on this day as well. Thus, the lights of Diwali are kindled to remember the sacrifices of these great Hindu personalities.

There are other stories and events connected to the celebration of Diwali, but the central meaning of evil being fought and destroyed remains at the core of all stories. Diwali, therefore, has more of a social than religious connotation. It uses the physical experience of longer nights at this time of the year to remind Hindus that when evil increases (symbolized by increasing darkness), it must be confronted by the forces of righteousness (lights). The deeyas that we light remind us of our righteous qualities – it charge our spirit of discipline, strength of character, bravery, and readiness to fight evil and injustice. This is the highest Dharma that the stories and events associated with Diwali try to convey.

However, we have allowed an aberration known as "Diwali mela," or fairs, to creep into and denigrate the sacredness of Diwali. This practice was initiated by no other than our Pandits through the Maha Sabha in the 1950s (in Guyana), primarily as fund-raisers. In all Diwali fairs there are "cultural shows" that include girls depicting Goddess Laxshmi. Hindu parents allowed their daughters to participate in these "melas" because the portrayal was supposed to be religious. But by the early sixties this divine portrayal was mutated into "Diwali beauty contests." The PNC-controlled Maha Sabha, after the 1968 election, used "Diwali Queens" as the centerpiece for the "Diwali fairs" – thus the degeneration and degradation of Diwali, involving, among other things, meat eating and liquor drinking, all of which were openly encouraged. Today this degenerate slide continues unabated. The Maha Sabha, now of tarnished reputation, has abandoned its degenerate creation. But others have emerged to fill the gap. In Guyana, for example, the Lions and the Rotarians are the biggest sponsors of Diwali shows. At a Rotarian-sponsored "Diwali fair" at Albion, the Diwali contestants had to wine-down to "Soca Bacchanal" on stage as part of their routine. Also, at Pegasus Hotel, which was transformed into a "Deepavali village," the erstwhile Laxshmi Kallicharran, the person in charged of the cultural aspects, presided over an event sponsored by a Georgetown nightclub (SN 11/9/96). The menu included meat and liquor – tandoori chicken, prawns, etc.

Of course, there is another mutation called "Diwali motorcade" sponsored by the Dharmic Sabha. These annual events in Guyana have now become jam sessions and political machinations are an integral part of the show. The sacredness of Diwali is allowed to erode year after year.

Here, as in Guyana, nightclubs not only sponsor, but also hold Diwali fairs on their premises – rum, women, and meat are part of the "Diwali Bacchanal." This desecration and of Hindu Dharma must not be tolerated.

We Hindus must ask ourselves: how can we propagate our Hindu culture in the spirit of Diwali when we allow nightclubs that offer prostitution, liquor, meat, and do illicit drugs sponsor, Diwali fairs? Why do we tolerate this form of insult to our ancient Dharma? As bright as Diwali will be, the dark spot below each deeya will manifest among some of us as a total disregard for this sacred day by intoxicating ourselves with alcohol and engaging in activities that will interrupt our families from performing their pooja in peace. For these cultural carcinogens in our society, we must find an antidote, which lies in the true significance of Diwali. We must reclaim the sacredness of this celebration.

In addressing this problem, Poojya Swami Aksharananda wrote, "For us the law of Karma is an inviolable principle, and in our support of and participation in these practices – beauty queen pageants, parades and fairs – whether they are sponsored by Hindus or non-Hindus, we are sowing the seeds of our degradation." (SN 11/10/96).

May you have a happy Diwali – in the true spirit in which it was intended! May you uphold the sacredness of Diwali; may you uphold, protect, and defend Dharma.

Promoters hold their ground!

News of a National Miss Diwali Pageant 2000 to be held later this month did not go down well with the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS). A mere day after it was announced GHDS slammed the staging of the pageant saying it "has many ingredients which are inconsistent with a festival which is spiritual."

Business partners Sheik Yaseen and Shobaran Singh had announced plans to hold the pageant at a press conference on Wednesday, stating that they wanted to "create racial harmony. ..It's [thepageant's] not restricted to Hindus—a Muslim or Christian can be a part of it..."

However the GHDS in a press release flatly condemned any pageant being promoted as a Diwali celebratory activity. "The religious, moral and social values of Deepavali must not be separated from this festival. Deepavali is a significant component of the cultural fabric of this country and must be treated with reverence and respect. Any attempt to desecrate this most cherished Hindu festival must be resisted by all Guyanese," the release said.

"We urge those promoting celebratory activities in the name of Deepavali not to be insensitive to the emotions and sentiments of the Hindu community... At this time of Deepavali, we call on all sections of the society and especially Hindus to reject any activity which runs counter to the norms and value of our Dharma and culture."

But the promoters are holding fast to their cause. In an invited comment Yaseen, explained that the pageant was just an effort to support racial unity in Guyana—a call, which he said was frequently made by President Bharrat Jagdeo. "I found out that there would be no pageant held this year and that is why I took the challenge. I don't feel in any way that I will be defaming or disrespecting Hindus or the Hindu religion,"

Yaseen said. "In fact, this pageant would not only be highlighting Diwali. It would also be highlighting the intelligence and talent of our young women."

The pageant is billed for the National Park on October 21, and the Sheriff Deputies are expected to entertain. Twelve young ladies will contest the event which will entail the usual sari display, intelligence and talent segments. A panel of five judges from the private and public sectors will judge the event.

The queen will walk away with a return ticket to New York and cash incentives, while runners-up will win return tickets to Trinidad and trips to Kaieteur, Arrow Point and Shanklands all accompanied by cash incentives.

Contestants must be between the ages of 17-24, single and should not have given birth to a child. Nine young ladies from Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice have already been confirmed for the pageant.

Tickets cost $800 and $500 for adults and $300 for children and were expected to go on sale yesterday. (Judy Fitzpatrick)

SHEIK Yassin, the promoter of the `Diwali Pageant' has changed the name of his show and is calling it: `The queen of the Lights sari pageant'.He claimed on GTV on Sunday that he was told not to use the word Diwali with his show. Perhaps, Sheik Yassin did not read my letter with regards to his pageant and about the significance of Diwali that was published in the Guyana Chronicle. (May I commend this newspaper as it was the only one to print my letter even though the letter was sent to all major media houses.) It seems like Sheik Yassin, the Hindu girls participating in his pageant and the people sponsoring these girls do not know what Diwali is about. Diwali is the festival of lights for Hindus. It is when we worship and pay homage to LAKSHMI MATAJI, the goddess of light and prosperity. She is divinity and is what we Hindu women aspire to be. By calling his pageant `Queen of Lights' Sheik Yassin is still abusing DIWALI - the Hindu festival of Lights! If this promoter had any honourable intentions of not abusing Diwali for his own mercenary achievements, then why host this pageant to coincide with Diwali? Does he think that he will continue to hoodwink Hindus like others have managed to do in the past? Hindus have had enough of people who are abusing our holy festivals.

Promoter apologises! The promoters of the controversial Miss Deepavali Pageant Fashion Show and Dance, which was originally billed for Kissoon's Place in Parika, have changed the show's name, omitted certain contents and switched the venue, after it was heavily criticized by religious organisations and letter writers. One of the promoters has also apologised. Thursday Nite Bash, Bar-b-Que and Dance is the new name of the show which will now to be held at Pearl Ann's Place, Parika Junction on Thursday.

And the original flyer advertising the show, which was illustrated with two scantily dressed women in provocative poses has been replaced by one which encourages safe sex and without the lewd depictions. The words 'Body and Plastic Promotion M&P Miceman and Piggy' were also omitted from the new flyer because the promoters felt that the wrong message was being sent and the 'pageant fashion' which was really sensual modelling by two girls will no longer be held.

Promoter Royan 'Miceman' Ferrier said disapproval of the use of Deepavali in the show's title caught them by surprise. He said that following objections in sections of the media he was summoned by an official of the Leonora Police Station who advised him to print new flyers without the suggestive illustrations, omit Deepavali from the name and apologise. This was confirmed by the said official in a telephone interview with Stabroek News. The official said he summoned the promoters out of concern over the objections in the media and made specific recommendations which were fulfilled.

Ferrier told Stabroek News at his Parika Barber Shop that the illustrations were merely used as an advertising strategy to "get the crowd." He said that he was unaware that the initiative would have spurred such criticisms adding that he and business partner, 21-year-old Standford 'Piggy' Baird lost their original venue because of the flyer. However, proprietor of Kissoon's Place, Inderpaul 'Kiskadee' Kunjbehari, told this newspaper that he objected to the show being held on his premises because he was misled by the promoters. "They tell me that El Sadiek band gon put on the fashion show and play. They din tell me that it gon be a lawless thing. Then next day I see a poster with Hot Chocolate and Solid Gold and I tell them they can't keep it because is me religion and I got to light up diyas," Kunjbehari related.

Baird, a speedboat operator, said that he was sorry for any disrespect he might have caused to any particular religion. He said he was just an enterprising young man who wanted to do something positive instead of turning to crime, drugs or anything illegal. Both promoters indicated that they would still hold the alternative venture since money was invested to print 1,000 flyers, tickets and to pay a deposit to two bands which were providing musical entertainment. The Radha Krishna Mandir and the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha were among the organisations which condemned the use of the word Deepavali on the flyer. The mandir's press release which was signed by Secretary of the Guyana Pandits Council, Rudranauth Sharma accused the promoters of attempting to "desecrate one of our most sacred festivals." A separate Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha press release described the promotion of the fair as lewd and called on the promoters to desist from associating their activity with the Deepavali festival.

The mandir pointed out that it was not against anyone satisfying their financial needs but flatly condemned the use of the festival to promote revenue generating ventures. "... Moreso when the method used for the awareness of these events are flyers with images of women nude or semi-nude", the mandir said.

Diwali is a special time for Hindus and non-Hindus to celebrate quietly at home and in temples with families and friends; definitely not on a stage. Diwali, a celebration of light and intelligence, is surely not a time of darkness and ignorance. And women, all women of all races and religions, are praised and protected even moreso during these occasions. If we must showcase our female talents, let that energy be directed elsewhere --- towards servicing the congregations in temples or used to feed the poor and homeless, but not on a stage using our females.

Here is the truth: the disrespect women generate from exhibiting themselves on a stage will transcend into homes days after. And what do you know; women get battered in their own homes by menfolk they live with -- disrespect for all women just grows and all women lose. Ladies, all Guyanese ladies, have some self-respect and dignity, for womanhood and the Divine Mother's sake, at least, please. Avoid public exhibitions of your bodies. Please use good judgement and good sense when it comes to religion; all religions.

SURESH RAMJEET
NEW YORK

I HAVE been following recently the furore in the media surrounding the staging of Diwali pageants. I feel there is a message here for all of us and not Hindus alone. First of all I would like to know if there are regulations, statutory or otherwise, that control the promotion and staging of such events? Do the promoters have to pre-qualify? I ask these questions because it seems that any Tom, Dick and Harry can call themselves promoters of these enormous undertakings and get the full backing of senior officialdom.

It is no wonder therefore that recent promoters (and maybe 90% in general) that have advertised their goods for a fun-filled Saturday evening, have had their main attractions coming on stage between 1.30 and 3.30 on Sunday mornings, much to the chagrin and disgust of patrons. When this happens the guest performers merely mimic a sloppy and brief portrayal of what patrons really expect. We all know the reasons for this - these performers are not paid for prime time appearances while the patrons are paying for prime time entertainment. So who is the big winner? The promoters of course, who make their money and wait for a few months then come again - akin to hit and run. They have to answer to no one as to why things went wrong etc. etc.

Unless we put in place systems where promotions of an entertainment nature come under the direct scrutiny of the relevant ministry, in this case Culture, and the Commissioner of Police who has to grant permission, patrons will continue to have to succumb to these sharks that call themselves promoters. The majority of the pretenders make the few genuine ones look way out insignificant. Before we view a movie at the cinemas, a group of eminent citizens called the censor board goes to work. These are people of moral, spiritual, high social and cultural values. Why then is the general public exposed to this sort of slip-shod treatment when it comes to live entertainment for which we have to pay more? To qualify for such ventures, I feel that the promoter's work ethics over the past ten years along with their moral and social standing should be examined.

You cannot put up collateral for these. And last but not least their experience and knowledge in the said venture area. For too long the game has continued to be one-sided, it is now time to address the other side of the equation, that is the PUBLIC. Let's examine a current example. How else can one explain this press release on October 05, alluded to Shiek Yaseen, a co-promoter of one of the Diwali pageants billed for the National Park. "It was a week ago and by chance that Yaseen found out that there would be no pageant for the festival of lights this year....". Now this show is billed for October 21. So there would be less than three weeks for Yaseen and business partner Singh to interview, shortlist and finally select the 12 contestants. They will then have to be trained in etiquette, posture and displaying techniques according to Yaseen. They will also during this same period have to familarise themselves with tourism and Guyana's position in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), according to the press release. Notwithstanding the fact that the promoters have to work on other side shows (if there are any) and all the logistics and planning processes that go with a venture of this magnitude. These guys got to be crazy, unless patrons are expecting a school auditorium show or they have Ron Robinson and Laxmie Kallicharran on their team. Those familiar with the staging of such events can come forward and air their bits as to the time it takes to properly plan and execute such events.

Even if you collapse timeframes it will still take a large team and lots of magic to successfully do it in three weeks. I do hope patrons who are willing to dish out the $800 and $500 are not expecting too much of a show. I wish these promoters luck. My final point is in support of those Hindu organisations and individuals who have posited a moral standoff to these events. This stuff about racial harmony put forward by the promoters is nonsense. With all the tools at their disposal our renowned politicians have failed, I can't see the parading of 12 young ladies on stage doing it. I sympathise with my fellow Hindu brothers and sisters for yet another intrusion and rapacious desecration of our sacred festivals.

Disciplinary action was not threatened - School of the Nations Director of School of the Nations, Dr Brian O'Toole, says that no student was threatened with suspension or disciplinary action for "playing Phagwah" at the school. O'Toole was responding to a front page article published in the Stabroek News on Tuesday, which reported that students were threatened by an official of the school with suspension and disciplinary action for 'playing Phagwah' in the school. He, however, confirmed that the students were asked not to "play Phagwah" in the school compound.

In a letter, O'Toole said that two well-planned and dignified assemblies were held on the significance of Phagwah both in the primary and secondary departments. According to O'Toole, the presentations included information on the history, customs and traditions related to Phagwah. He said that readings were shared from Hindu scriptures and dances were performed and costumes displayed. He explained that during one of their classes, students in Primary Three asked for clarification about the "playing of Phagwah". According to O'Toole, six of the students wrote comments on exercise leaves. He said that these comments were discarded after the discussion.